Official permission to slow down one’s life…
is like being given an epic poem yet to be savored.
Give thanks for those things in life that sloooooow down one’s steps….
for truly the mind and the heart soon follow. (I promise)
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ” James 1:2-3.
A friend of mine shared this equation:
PRAYER + SURRENDER = PEACE
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This isn’t a raise the white flag, I give up, just forget it kind of surrender…
This is a wrestling with God, I’m afraid, I just don’t know, I’m angry, I don’t want to, difficult prayer of surrender when my will has become disconnected with His will and plan.
Uncomfortable prayer, challenging prayer, die to oneself prayer, no I don’t know the best way prayer of surrender that leads to peace.
That peace beyond human understanding…
The fitting of my heart in His…
My hand once again clasped in the hand of my Father.
Yes, PRAYER + SURRENDER = PEACE.
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
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God always surprises us. He bursts our categories. He wreaks havoc with our plans. And He tells us: Trust me. Do not be afraid. Let yourself be surprised. Leave yourself behind and follow Me. * Pope Francis
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. ” 1 John 4:18
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Discouragement is when the problem before you has become bigger than God, Himself.
Our vision is cast downward and we’ve forgotten to trust in Him and His plan for our lives.
We are at our best when we are looking up.
It’s impossible to look up and be discouraged.
“My eyes are ever upon the Lord, who frees my feet from the snare.” Ps 25:15
image via fromtheheartofj
Single-hearted…
Strive to be.
Misunderstood in the din of distractions…
And the grasps of gratifications.
But…
Single-hearted…
Strive to be.
“Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.” Ps 37:4
Do you ever feel like a cracked pot?
Leaking from various cracks and crevices?…
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You may not even be aware of it until you find yourself exhausted mentally, physically, spiritually…
your joy long misplaced.
image via ineedmotivation.com
In answer to our pleading prayer, the Heavenly Father adds water of grace….kneads us back to mold-able…pushing and pulling the grace into the hardened areas…into the air pockets of our self made plans and mind, body, spirit disarray…
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remolding us…refashioning us…into our unique, one of a kind shape.
He throws us up on the pottery wheel…
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Spinning us over and over again until dizzy with the motion…
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The wheel stops and we are thrown into the kiln. Fire baking us, setting us, strengthening us to be that vessel which once again may hold the grace given..the love poured in…in order to be poured out.
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Surrendering into the Potter’s hands we are molded into the masterpiece of who we are.
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Giving Him permission to shape us into glory.
“Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter; we are all the work of your hands.” Is 64:7
“Jesus,
I am one worn out tired branch…
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And I need the newness of the vine of you to start the hope-life running through the streams of me again.
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Lord, be my vine and I’ll be your branch…
But free me please from this withered cut off feeling…
And deliver others from the pain I carve into their branches.
Let your life-giving sap of grace flow into me constantly
That I become unable to survive without it.”
image via nuscentscandle.com
(poem by Macrina Wiedrekehr and adapted by Tiny McPhillips)
“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5
It’s not that God doesn’t answer our questions..
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It’s more..
Do we have the COURAGE to ask the questions that need to be asked?…
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And the HUMILITY to accept the answers?
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“Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my concerns. See if my way is crooked then lead me in the ancient paths.” Ps 139:23-24
Ever said I can’t to God?…
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Fist clenched, foot stomping, I can’t, I won’t to God?
Your ways are not my ways, my ways are better, I can’t God.
image via biblepicturedictionary.com
Camel squeezing through the eye of a needle too rich in rebellion, selfishness, pride, I can’t God?
Struggle continues…Chaos reigns.
Ever said I can’t to God?
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Little girl, little boy, weak whimper from within, I can’t God?
I’m lost, alone, drowning, tear-filled, I can’t God?
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I am weak, you are strong, hide me in your heart, I can’t God?
Mighty arms bend down into the lowliness…
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Drawn into the embrace of God…
Wrapped in His love…Consumed in grace.
Together, united, as one…
I CAN GOD!
“Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. all things are possible for God.”
Mark 10: 27
We are never broken apart…just broken OPEN!
May the cracks of your day be openings to RECEIVE His love…and be TRANSFORMED.
through Him with Him in Him... 